Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-26
CROPPING IN THE DARK.
An Effort in Court to Discover the MIR
derers of John Kasson.

An En0rt IN Court TO Discover the N ur-
derers of John Kasson.
In Justice Posts Court yesterday morn
ing three colored men-Wm. II. Edlin, ].
w. Maskon and Samuel Spring were
arrested at Gridley by Deputy Sheriff New
bert, assisted by Sheriff Hankey, of Suffer
county, on suspicion that one or all of
them had been connected with the murder
of John Kasson near Florin on the 11th
instant-we1e called for examination. As
the prisoners had no counsel, the Court
appointed ]. j. West to defend them, and
he entered into the case with as much zeal
as though his clients were among the
wealthiest in the land, instead of tramps.
During the day the Courtroom was
crowded with witnesses and spectators.
the colored people OF the city taking
especial interest in the proceedings. Aslwas
minated in yesterdays RECORD Union, the
District Attorney had very little positive
evidence, and during the examination was
cropping in the dark, as it WERE hoping to
stumble upon a clue that would enable
him to unravel the mystery of the homi-
eide. During the day several witnesses
were put on the stand, who testified to hav-
ing seen three colored men and one white
man walking along the railroad track be-
tween Elk Grove and Florin, on the day
of the murder. Edlin was identified as
one of the colored men seen, but the other
two defendants were not recognized as
members of the party Watson, the mu-
latto who was arrested in Nevada county
by Deputy Sheriff O'Conner, was in the
Courtroom, that the witnesses might see
him, though his case has not yet been set,
and he was identified as having been with
Edlin. The white man accompanying the
colored men was described as being about
% years of age, and 10 have scar on the
side of his faee-the scar being a mark the
authorities had not previously heard of
when his description was given. One wit
ness testified to having accompanied Kas-
son and some colored men, as well as white
men, on the steamer from San Francisco to
Stockton, and identified Edlin as one of
the party. During the examination the
bullets taken from the body of the muir
dered man were introduced as evidence.
and shown to fit pistol found upon the
person of Maskon, bur this suggestive piece
of evidence did not amount to anything,
as eventually the weapon was shown to be-
long to a resident OF Sacramento. that it
was in the city at the time of the homicide,
and that Maskon got it in his possession
during spree in Sacramento after Kasson's
death. In fact, as against both Maskon
and Spring, the evidence was very light,
while an alibi was pretty conelusively
established. They narrated their wander
ings throughout the country without hest
tation, and created amusement at times BY
reference to their manner of obtaining free
railroad rides. Edlin has not yet been
placed upon the stand, but it is understood
that he claims to have been at or near the
County Hospital on the night of the muir
der.
About oclock last evening Justice Post
Court until $50 this morning,
when it is expected additional witnesses
viii be present.